Six crooks jailed for almost 40 years after huge cocaine ring smashed in North Devon
Major drug empire spanned North Devon to Liverpool
Six criminals have been locked up for nearly 40 years combined after running a massive cocaine trafficking operation across North Devon. The gang flooded the streets with millions of pounds worth of Class A drugs, triggering a major police crackdown named Operation Haku.
The organised crime network stretched from North Devon through West Yorkshire to Merseyside. Couriers regularly travelled to Liverpool to collect kilos of cocaine, then dispatched the drugs back to Devon for street-level sales.
Inside the cocaine network: Who did what?
- Christopher Harper, 46, Goole – The mastermind organiser
- Stephen Reid, 52, Liverpool – Co-organiser
- Paige Kightley, 31, Bideford – North Devon regional boss
- Neil Warren, 49, Ilfracombe – Courier
- Karl Aldridge, 38, Barnstaple – Street-level dealer
- Ezra Walker, 40, Manchester – Supplier and courier
Detectives uncovered 17 separate drug runs with an eye-watering street value of around £4 million.
How police cracked the ring wide open
Police first caught Ezra Walker on November 5, 2024, heading to Barnstaple with cocaine stashed in his car. A search of Karl Aldridge’s home revealed drugs, dealer scales, cash, and lists naming customers.
Courier Neil Warren was nabbed on December 12, 2024, caught with 3kg of coke worth £240,000. CCTV caught him meeting Harper at a Premier Inn after picking up the haul in Liverpool.
Harper and Reid controlled the entire operation via mobile phones, tracking their couriers with exact locations and giving step-by-step instructions.
Justice served as gang members handed hefty sentences
All six pleaded guilty at Exeter Crown Court and were given long jail terms:
- Christopher Harper: 10 years 5 months
- Stephen Reid: 7 years 5 months
- Paige Kightley: 5 years 7 months
- Neil Warren: 4 years
- Karl Aldridge: 5 years 4 months
- Ezra Walker: 5 years 4 months
The Devon & Cornwall Police Serious & Organised Crime Team hailed the takedown as a huge win against drug supply in the South West.
